Studio Team

Wade Nichols owns Starsound Studios, one of the top studios in Ohio that has the only Dolby-certified Atmos Mixing Studio. He teaches audio-by-video tutorials on his YouTube channel, which is growing daily, and he has started The Cleveland Recording Summit. The CRS is a series of masterclasses on how to record. He grew up in Lakewood, Ohio. Music has always been a part of his life. Wade took verbal quizzes on the instrument playing on a Herb Albert record by his mother while at 3 or 4. Trying to catch him with a sound that he did not know was the goal. His mother described that he was never stumped. That is how the love of music began! Our studio team's audio engine is Wade Nichols.

Wade Nichols' journey in the music industry began in his school and church choir during middle and high school. After picking up the guitar, he started playing in bands and learning to run sound for those gigs. His music career took off when he found himself in the right place at the right time, leading to opportunities to run live sound for national recording artists, live theater, and hundreds of live local bands in and around the Milwaukee area. During this time, he wrote three albums, and Wade's songs were playing on local Milwaukee radio stations. He also performed these songs live on local cable shows, showcasing his talent and passion for music. It's worth noting that Wade achieved all this without formal music training, a testament to his natural talent and unwavering dedication.

Multiple Projects

In 1993, Wade Nichols embarked on a new venture, taking the reins of Starsound Studios in Milwaukee. This was a bold move that showcased his entrepreneurial spirit. Upon his return to Northeast Ohio in 2001, he re-established the studio, further demonstrating his ambition. Additionally, he founded the arena rock tribute band Rock Rewind, a testament to his creative prowess. Wade meticulously designed and executed the music, video, and light show for the band's performances at Starsound Studios.

Wade Nichols' career journey is a testament to his adaptability and resilience. Despite his success in the music industry, he never stopped learning. In 2004, when a principal requested that he teach music in the Cleveland School District, he didn't hesitate. He wrote a grant, and when accepted, he installed a recording studio lab in the back of the school auditorium. Despite the closure of that building, Wade's passion for education and his ability to adapt led him to his current role, teaching 5th-grade math and science.

Meeting His Mentors

Wade's journey in the world of recording engineering has been marked by unique opportunities and invaluable experiences. His journey began with a trip to New York, where he had the privilege of learning from the esteemed Grammy-nominated recording engineer Fab Dupont, not once but twice. This was followed by a stint in Boston, where he collaborated with the renowned company Izotope, the Grammy-nominated mastering engineer, and Berkley College of Music professor Johnathan Wyner. These experiences have not only honed his technical skills but also shaped his unique approach to recording engineering.

He has also driven to Sweetwater in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to learn numerous times from their recording, mixing, mastering, or financial studio operations master classes from Mark Hornsby. Wade took multiple master mixing classes at Sweetwater Studios with the one and only Chris Lord-Alge. CLA has won multiple Grammys. Wade also took a master recording class with Ed Cherney provided by Sweetwater Studios. Ed has won several Grammy, TEC, and Emmy awards. The extensive list of mentors has imparted years of recording and engineering wisdom. Therefore, Wade has built up much knowledge for his clients. In other words, they benefit from the sound of their recordings. Another massive guiding force on his path was Derek Senestraro. He started as Wade's sales engineer. Over the years, they have become good friends.

Wade's commitment to his craft is unwavering. He is currently enrolled in the RAT Recording Arts and Technology program at Tri-C Community College, pursuing an associate's degree in recording/engineering. Despite the running joke that he is 'back in school to learn what he already knows and does daily at Starsound Studios,' Wade's dedication to continuous learning is a testament to his passion and commitment to his profession. This extensive education, combined with his practical experience, makes our team the right choice for your next recording.

Wade is not just a recording engineer, but also a mentor. He is accepting interns from multiple schools, colleges, and universities, and has had interns from prestigious institutions such as Berklee College Of Music, Ohio University, and Youngstown State University. Tiffin University has now accredited Wade, and he will mentor students for their internships to become recording engineers. He is also earning that same accreditation from Tri-C. Wade is going to give seminars to the students in the RAT program, inspiring the next generation of recording engineers. Since the construction of the Dolby Atmos studio, Tri-C will have him conduct masterclasses for their students and mentorship program, further solidifying his role as a mentor in the industry.